“A couple of boys played a half in the AFL and half in the VFL today, and they (coaches) just wanted me to get a full game uninterrupted, whilst showing some other kids in the AFL as well,” Murdoch said.

“I couldn’t care less where I play right at the moment. I want to be at my best when it comes Round 1, and I feel like I got a lot out of today.”

Giving Murdoch extra confidence is a rare pre-season where he has been able to complete the majority of training.

“In the past, I think the most I’ve completed of pre-season is probably around 60 per cent,” he said.

“This year it was probably around 85-90 (per cent) and I feel like I’ve got the work behind me to play a number of roles.

“I’m just feeling strong around the footy and feel like I can offer a lot in several different positions, which I’ve always regarded highly, as far as my unique quality is being able to play multiple positions.”

After playing every home-and-away game bar one in 2017, Murdoch was dropped after a quiet performance in the qualifying final loss to Richmond where he registered just eight possessions.

He is out of contract at the end of this year and is well aware of how crucial it will be to lock down a spot in Geelong’s best twenty-two.

“I think there’s a lot of guys in the same boat,” he said. “The competition for spots has probably never been higher.

“Every year you come into you set your goals, and that’s something that I reckon I put things in place towards last year, but didn’t quite do it.